Humiliating and invasive body searches remain a widespread and deeply harmful practice in detention settings around the world. While often justified on security grounds, such searches – especially when conducted routinely, without safeguards – cause disproportionate harm to women, LGBTIQ+ persons, and the families who visit their relatives in detention.
A harmful practice in urgent need of reform
Findings from the APT’s Global Report on Women in Prison – drawing on data from 46 countries – reveal that body searches are frequently conducted without individualised risk assessments or appropriate procedural safeguards. These practices often include forced nudity, squats, and inspection of menstrual hygiene products, which can be traumatic and degrading. In many contexts, searches on LGBTIQ+ persons are still carried out by staff of the same anatomical sex, rather than according to the self-determined gender-identity, and without proper training.
Relatives who visit places of detention are also at risk of humiliating treatment. Visitors, especially women, are often subjected to degrading procedures and suspicion, despite no indication of wrongdoing. These experiences can deter contact with loved ones and compound the stigma faced by families.
Body scanners as a step forward
Many countries have begun introducing body scanning technology to reduce the reliance on invasive physical searches. In Malta, for example, body scanners have replaced strip searches in nearly all circumstances. Searches are conducted only when absolutely necessary, and LGBTIQ+ detainees are given a choice in the gender of the searching officer. Respectful, person-centred language and proper staff training have been key to building a safer and more respectful prison environment.
In Brazil, legislative reforms have banned humiliating and invasive searches of visitors since 2015. The Local Mechanism to Prevent and Combat Torture of Rio de Janeiro played a key role in this success through sustained monitoring and advocacy. However, implementation remains uneven, and new attempts to reintroduce categories such as “intimate” versus “vexatious” searches risk undermining progress.
While scanners represent progress, experts caution that they must replace – not supplement – physical searches. Their use should be guided by transparent protocols, strict regulation, and independent monitoring. Without this, even advanced technology can be misused.
Families’ voices: dignity for those who visit
The impact of degrading searches is also deeply felt by families, particularly women. Andrea Casamento, President of Argentina’s Prisoners’ Families Association (ACIFAD), has documented widespread cases of women being forced to undress in front of children or subjected to sexualised harassment during visits.
“From the moment we enter, we are treated with suspicion and disrespect,” she said. “We’re criminalised simply for showing love and solidarity.” Casamento emphasised that respectful screening processes – similar to those used in airports – should be the norm in prisons too. But where scanners are used, poor staff training and lack of communication can still result in harm.
A global call to uphold dignity and rights
Across all contexts, experts stress that security concerns must never override human dignity. Countries must adopt gender-sensitive search protocols, ensure proper justification, and guarantee robust oversight mechanisms.
The need for reform is especially urgent in light of the 10th anniversary of the Nelson Mandela Rules, the 15th anniversary of the UN Bangkok Rules, and the continuing relevance of the Yogyakarta Principles for LGBTIQ+ persons.
“We must move away from routine and humiliating practices,” said Veronica Filippeschi, APT’s Senior Adviser on Vulnerabilities, “and toward systems that uphold the dignity and rights of all – especially those at heightened risk.”
Collective dialogue for collective change
These messages were reinforced during an international webinar hosted by the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) on 23 June 2025, as part of the Global Week Against Torture. The event brought together oversight bodies, prison administrations, and civil society to share good practices and call for urgent change. The takeaway was clear: ending humiliating body searches is possible – and necessary – to protect rights and uphold human dignity in places of detention.
Access the whole webinar below.
